head to head
vs
SoulmaskvsStarfield
Soulmask leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Starfield leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
SoulmaskStarfield
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 5
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 1
Starfield leans harder on reads: Scripted NPC AI patterns
Variance4 vs 3
Soulmask leans harder on variance: Resource deposits and world events carry moderate hidden randomness
Optimization7 vs 7
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.